Celtics great McHale's daughter dies at 23

Sasha McHale had lupus

FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2008 file photo, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale directs his team against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver. McHale is now the head coach of the Houston Rockets.

AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File

Photos

FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2008 file photo, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Kevin McHale directs his team against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver. McHale is now the head coach of the Houston Rockets.

AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File

The daughter of Houston Rockets coach and former Celtics great Kevin McHale has died at 23.

Alexandra "Sasha" McHale died Saturday, and the team disclosed no other details Sunday.

McHale had the auto-immune disease lupus and had recently been hospitalized.

Kevin McHale has been on leave since Nov. 10 to deal with what the team called a personal family matter. During his absence, Kelvin Sampson has been the interim coach. There is no timetable for Kevin McHale's return.

Team owner Leslie Alexander said in a statement that he extends his "deepest condolences" over the loss of the McHales' "beautiful daughter." He called Kevin and wife Lynn "loving and dedicated parents who will need our continued support throughout this very difficult time." He said the "entire organization is mourning."

McHale spent several years with the Boston Celtics before joining the Minnesota Timberwolves as a coach and executive. He then joined the Rockets following two seasons as a television analyst.

"While Kevin was with our organization, we all watched Sasha grow up and become an outstanding young woman," Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said in a statement. "She will be sorely missed by her family and friends."

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